Last of A BReed

In Last of a BReed, award-winning journalist Billy Reed shares a behind-the-scenes look at his career in sports writing, nearly six decades in the making.

One of the most accomplished journalists in Kentucky's history, Billy thrived during the golden era of sports writing, when the Louisville Courier-Journal published four editions every night before the internet changed the world.

From his first job as Henry Clay High School beat reporter for the Lexington Herald-Leader in 1959, Billy covered all the major sporting events the World Series, Super Bowl, NCAA Final Four, Triple Crown races, major golf tournaments, and big college football games and developed personal relationships with the biggest sports personalities Muhammad Ali, Bob Knight, and Adolph Rupp, to name a few.

Last of a BReed provides a personal reflection on Billy's life as a self-proclaimed "ink-stained wretch" and a tribute to his mentors and colleagues who helped him along the way. Through the years, Billy's clever prose helped fuel the passions of spectators, coaches, players, and trainers alike, and this book gives insight into the craft of developing relationships and creating the stories that defined a generation of athletes.

William F. "Billy" Reed, from Mt. Sterling, Kentucky, is a national award-winning newspaper and magazine journalist, radio talk show host, public speaker, investigative reporter, communications specialist, and author of 18 books.

He has worked in the media industry for nearly 60 years, including stints as a writer, editor and columnist for Sports Illustrated, Louisville Courier-Journal, Lexington Herald-Leader, and the Louisville Catholic Sports Network. He is also known as a radio host, television contributor, and freelance writer, and spent several years as a communications executive for the state of Kentucky.

Billy is a member of the Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame, Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame, U.S. Basketball Writers Hall of Fame, and has earned dozens of other honors and awards for his career in sports journalism.